EU court takes Hamas off terrorist organisations list

THINK TANK

A top court of the European Union has annulled the bloc's decision to keep the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas on a list of terrorist groups.

The decision had been based not on an examination of Hamas' actions, but on "factual imputations derived from the press and the internet", judges found.

The court said the move was technical and was not a reassessment of Hamas' classification as a terrorist group.

It said a funding freeze on the group would continue for the time being.

Hamas dominates Gaza and fought a 50-day war with Israel earlier this year. Under its charter, the movement is committed to Israel's destruction.

Responding to the ruling Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Hamas was a "murderous terrorist organisation" which should be put back on the list immediately.

Israel, the United States and several other nations have designated Hamas a terrorist organisation due to its long record of attacks and its refusal to renounce violence.

Hamas, which was founded in 1987, won Palestinian parliamentary elections in 2006 and reinforced its power in Gaza the following year after ousting its Fatah rivals.

Its supporters see it as a legitimate resistance movement against Israel, with whom it has fought for years.

'Historical mistake'
In December 2001, the Council of the European Union - representing the governments of member states - adopted a "common position" and a regulation to combat terrorism.

It established a list of designated entities and people whose funds would be frozen. Hamas' military wing, the Izz al-Din Qassam Brigades, was named on the initial list, and its political wing was added two years later.

Hamas contested the decision and on Wednesday the EU's General Court found it had been "based not on acts examined and confirmed in decisions of competent authorities but on factual imputations derived from the press and the internet".

The court said it was therefore annulling Hamas' designation but would temporarily keep existing measures against the group "in order to ensure the effectiveness of any possible future freezing of funds".

Naftali BennettIsraeli Economy Minister
This would be maintained for three months, or, if an appeal is brought before the European Court of Justice, until it was closed, it added.

"The court stresses that those annulments, on fundamental procedural grounds, do not imply any substantive assessment of the question of the classification of Hamas as a terrorist group within the meaning of the common position."

Hamas deputy political leader Moussa Abu Marzouk said the decision was "a correction of a historical mistake".

"Hamas is a resistance movement and it has a natural right according to all international laws and standards to resist the occupation," he told the Reuters news agency.

But European Commission spokeswoman Maja Kocijancic said the EU continued to "consider Hamas a terrorist organisation" and would consider its response to the ruling.

The Israeli economy minister called the court's decision immoral.

"Israel is strong and can defend itself against its enemies, but those who will suffer from strengthening terrorist groups will be the Europeans themselves," Naftali Bennett warned.

Hours after the ruling, the European Parliament adopted a compromise resolution supporting "in principle recognition of Palestinian statehood and the two-state solution", and calling for peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians to be "advanced".

The original text had called for unconditional recognition, in line with resolutions passed by several national legislatures in recent months.

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Their decision has been little surprise to the State Of Israel, and to the rest of free world. It's clear that their true motive is to try to bring about the fall of Israel. Their Anti-Semitism knows no limits. Even while many of their cities have witnessed Arab riots and violence against its' own citizens, they would rather turn a blind eye to that, and concentrate their hate & political efforts solely on Israel and Jews in general. Their own Jewish countrymen are no longer feeling safe and protected, or welcome in their own country. While they accuse Israel of human right violators, they choose to align themselves to known terrorist groups, giving them legitimacy and credibility. These are the same organizations known to still have the blood of innocent men, women, and children. Even babies. Europe has a very long history of Anti-Semitism throughout the centuries. It only has a new face now. They no longer use the same words, but their meaning is exactly the same as they did under Nazi Germany. It's clear that the leopard hasn't changed it spots over these 60 or more years. Shame on the so called "free world" to give into political correctness and bigotry. This will surely back fire on them in the future, because soon they will no longer be free in their own countries, because Europe is vastly becoming "EURABIA", and their own culture and civilization will not exist.

THINK TANK

Their decision has been little surprise to the State Of Israel, and to the rest of free world. It's clear that their true motive is to try to bring about the fall of Israel. Their Anti-Semitism knows no limits. Even while many of their cities have witnessed Arab riots and violence against its' own citizens, they would rather turn a blind eye to that, and concentrate their hate & political efforts solely on Israel and Jews in general. Their own Jewish countrymen are no longer feeling safe and protected, or welcome in their own country. While they accuse Israel of human right violators, they choose to align themselves to known terrorist groups, giving them legitimacy and credibility. These are the same organizations known to still have the blood of innocent men, women, and children. Even babies. Europe has a very long history of Anti-Semitism throughout the centuries. It only has a new face now. They no longer use the same words, but their meaning is exactly the same as they did under Nazi Germany. It's clear that the leopard hasn't changed it spots over these 60 or more years. Shame on the so called "free world" to give into political correctness and bigotry. This will surely back fire on them in the future, because soon they will no longer be free in their own countries, because Europe is vastly becoming "EURABIA", and their own culture and civilization will not exist.

Why is it surprising? I think the EU have had enough from Israel. Lets not forget that Israel is occupying Palestinian lands and not the opposite. How would you react if such thing happen to you? Not only Israel is doing that but they are confiscating more lands every now and then, building illegal settlements, demolishing homes, bombing schools and imprisoning children. Do you live with us here on earth by any means? Because you completely look absent from the scene.

I don't know what would expect from the Palestinians do in this case? Surrender and give up their right? No they will retaliate the Israeli aggressions. If Israel want peace and willing to achieving it they would have done so long ago. A peace plan has been on the table put by the Arab League and its Israel that is refusing to even look at it. Can you imagine, an occupied country for 65 years. I don't blame the EU from taking such a step. They feel ashamed of such violation of human rights when they consider themselves the defender of human rights.